To get the results you want, you must find the time to do the activities necessary to reach the goals you have set.  That doesn't just happen - that takes planning!  Many people resist the idea of planning their day because it seems too structured, too much of a hassle, and who has time to plan, anyway?? 

There are many benefits to planning your day.  It helps you to focus on your priorities.  It is not about getting everything done in a day - it is about getting the important things done in a day.  Planning your day enables you to make better decisions and actually increases your control over your day.  A planned day reduces stress, increases creativity, and can even "create" more time in your day!  Planning your day doesn't have to take more than 15 minutes - 1% of your day.  The other 99% can be used in executing your plan.  You can choose when this 15 minutes of planning occurs - either first thing in the morning or last thing at night.

The key to successful planning is to plan both your work and personal time.  Simply ask yourself a few questions.  First, think about the results - what do you expect to accomplish today?  Second, think about activities - what will you have to do to get those results?  (Of course, for optimum productivity you want to always use a written to-do list.)  Next, decide on priorities - what is of most importance, of second importance, etc.?  You now have a work plan for your day. 

Then you have to estimate how much time it will take to do each task, and when in your schedule you can actually complete the task.  Always leave some unscheduled time in your day; this allows you the flexibility you need to handle those unexpected things you can't control. 

It also helps when deciding priorities to keep in mind the long-term and short-term goals you have set.  This allows you to plan time in your day to work towards both your personal and professional goals.  Build your to-do list from yesterday's unfinished business and today's tasks.  Prioritize what needs to be done and when.  Now, in a short amount of time, you can face your day with a plan that will help you conquer your world!  (Or at least get you through it with your sanity intact!)

By Jill Tibbels